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Miracle Baby Delivered Despite Mother’s Rare Health Condition

Any mother who has ever watched through teary eyes as her baby receives his first immunization knows well the strength of the maternal instinct. There is nothing more natural than a parent’s desire to protect a child. In rare instances, however, a particular medical condition can make a woman’s own body the most dangerous environment for her unborn baby.

While pregnant with her third child, Pauline Condon of West Caldwell discovered that a previous condition, known as Isoimmunization, was putting her unborn child, Shannon, at risk of severe anemia and possible death. Perinatologists at Saint Barnabas Medical Center’s Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine told the Condons that because Pauline’s body had formed antibodies that were attacking the baby’s red blood cells, Shannon would require in utero blood transfusions to survive.

“It was very frightening because everything had been progressing fine up until that point in my pregnancy,” recalls Mrs. Condon. “Then I had an ultrasound at about 26 weeks gestation and they saw fluid in Shannon’s abdomen, which is a sign of a baby in distress.”

During the birthing process of her oldest child, Michael, blood cells from the baby escaped into Pauline’s bloodstream. These cells were recognized as foreign because they were of a different blood type, and a natural rejection process ensued with the formation of antibodies.

“Each person has a specific blood type and specific antigens carried on red blood cells,” says Edward Wolf, M.D., Associate Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. “One of these antigens is the Kell antigen. A problem can develop if a fetus has these antigens in its blood while the mother does not. In this case, the mother may develop antibodies to Kell antigens and these antibodies cross over and attack the blood cells of the fetus.”

While Pauline had no complications with her first pregnancy, she did experience a loss with a subsequent pregnancy. After giving birth to her son Michael, Pauline became pregnant again. Her blood tests were normal, so physicians did not suspect any problem. However, in her fifth month of pregnancy, the female fetus died.

“It was so awful and painful,” recalls Pauline.

Despite the devastating loss, the Condons found the courage for Pauline to become pregnant again. Three and a half years after the birth of Michael, another son was born. The pregnancy went without complication and baby Shane was healthy and strong. With hope in their hearts, the Condons then decided to have another child. Pauline became pregnant with Shannon, and in her sixth month of pregnancy, problems began.

“When the specialized ultrasound showed that the baby was becoming anemic, we immediately admitted Pauline to Saint Barnabas and performed an emergency blood transfusion,” says Dr. Wolf. The transfusion was performed by Dr. Wolf and Associate Director Richard Miller, M.D., two of the five perinatologists of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

For this procedure, referred to as an Intrauterine Transfusion, a needle is directed under ultrasound guidance into the umbilical cord and blood is infused directly into the fetus to correct the anemia. Blood transfusions in utero are especially difficult, says Dr. Wolf, because a precise amount of blood must be transferred into the fetus through the fragile umbilical cord. While the mother is conscious during the procedure, the baby is sedated, which is additionally challenging. Dr. Wolf adds that fewer than 1 in 1,000 pregnant women would require this specialized procedure.

“The doctors were just amazing and it was incredible to watch them perform the transfusions,” Pauline relates. “Everything had to happen at just the right time because they did not want to sedate Shannon any longer than necessary. Who knew they could do something like this?”

Two blood transfusions were performed within a two-week period, and a total of five were done during Pauline’s pregnancy. The success of the transfusions allowed Pauline to carry the baby until the 36th week of pregnancy. On February 1, 2000, a healthy Shannon Condon was welcomed into the world, delivered by Pauline’s obstetrician, Doreen DeGraaff, M.D. Her only follow up was a final blood transfusion at six weeks of age performed at The Valerie Fund Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Saint Barnabas.

“The whole staff in Maternal-Fetal Medicine was as wonderful as they could be and they took such a personal interest in helping us, " says Pauline. “I did not care what I had to go through, as long as Shannon would be healthy. We call her our miracle baby.”

The members of the division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Saint Barnabas are extensively trained experts in the field of perinatal medicine and the treatment of women who anticipate or are experiencing a high-risk pregnancy. High-risk pregnancies can be managed with special testing and procedures to promote the health of both the baby and the mother, The Maternal-Fetal Medicine team is recognized as a leader in the care of patients with complicated pregnancies.

For more information or an appointment, please call
(973) 322-5287.

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